Steatorrhoea is seen in :

IGNOU PB. Bsc. Nsg. Entrance-2025

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: IGNOU PB. Bsc. Nsg. Entrance-2025

Explanation

Steatorrhea refers to the presence of excess fat in the feces, which causes stools to be bulky, pale, oily, and foul-smelling.
It is considered a classic or hallmark sign of fat malabsorption.
Malabsorption syndrome is a condition characterized by the small intestine's inability to properly absorb one or more nutrients, with fat malabsorption being a central feature.
Therefore, steatorrhea is most characteristically seen in malabsorption syndrome.

Option A: While severe cirrhosis can reduce the liver's production of bile salts, which are essential for fat digestion, this typically leads to only mild steatorrhea. It is not the primary or defining feature of liver cirrhosis.
Option B: Diabetes mellitus is primarily a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism due to insulin deficiency or resistance. It does not directly cause fat malabsorption.
Option C: Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that primarily affects the large intestine (colon and rectum). Since the majority of fat absorption occurs in the small intestine, ulcerative colitis does not typically cause steatorrhea.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain The clinical manifestation of steatorrhea and its association with gastrointestinal disorders as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must assess stool characteristics (color, consistency, odor, and whether it floats) in patients with suspected GI disorders, as steatorrhea is a key diagnostic clue for malabsorption.
Management of steatorrhea involves treating the underlying cause, providing nutritional support with a diet modified in fat content, and supplementing fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) which are also malabsorbed.
What if? If the patient has cystic fibrosis, the mechanism of steatorrhea is pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. Thick mucus blocks the pancreatic ducts, preventing digestive enzymes from reaching the small intestine, which is a form of malabsorption.

How to Approach the Question

First, define the key term in the question: 'Steatorrhoea'. This means excess fat in the stool.
Next, consider the physiological process related to this term. Fat in the stool implies a problem with either fat digestion or fat absorption.
Evaluate each option based on this understanding. Cirrhosis affects the liver (bile), Diabetes affects glucose metabolism, and Ulcerative Colitis affects the large intestine.
'Malabsorption syndrome' is a broad category that directly describes the problem of failing to absorb nutrients, including fat.
Conclude that steatorrhea is the most direct and classic sign of malabsorption syndrome among the given choices.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: The clinical manifestation of steatorrhea and its association with gastrointestinal disorders.
Stem keywords: Steatorrhoea
Lead-in keywords: is seen in
Negative lead-in flag: false

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